Businessman Patrick Thomas of Jacksonville said Thursday that he's seeking election next year as a Republican to the seat held by departing state Rep. Bob Johnson, D-Jacksonville.
Former state Rep. Mark Perry, D-Jacksonville, announced in late October that he would seek the House District 42 seat next year, after Johnson said he would run for mayor of Jacksonville rather than for re-election.
House District 42 covers much of Jacksonville, including Little Rock Air Force Base.
In 2016, Thomas lost his bid to oust Johnson from the House seat that Johnson has represented since 2015. Johnson won by a margin of 58.5 percent to 41.5 percent. Perry served in the House from 2009-15 and didn't seek re-election.
Thomas, 57, owner of Arkansas Outdoor Power Equipment, said he is running again because "I want to try to make a difference."
"My heart is in it to try one more time. I'm a very determined individual," he said.
Another Republican is considering running for the seat, said state Republican Party Chairman Doyle Webb of Benton.
Webb declined to disclose the potential candidate's name, and Thomas said he didn't know who it might be.
State Democratic Party Chairman Michael John Gray, who is a representative from Augusta, said he has not talked to any Democratic candidates other than Perry regarding House District 42.
The filing period for candidates for state and federal offices is Feb. 22-March 1. The primary election is May 22. The general election is Nov. 6.
Perry, 56, is a financial representative for Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial based in Rock Island, Ill.
Thomas said he wants to work on lowering state income taxes and possibly lowering sales taxes. He said he opposes requiring out-of-state vendors to collect Arkansas taxes on online sales.
Perry said he would want to review the state's tax collections and budget before committing to any particular tax cuts.
Thomas said he supports Arkansas' version of Medicaid expansion, under which roughly 300,000 low-income Arkansans have private health insurance. He said he also supports helping them find work. The state is paying for 5 percent of the cost of the program this year while the federal government covers the rest; the state's share will gradually increase to 10 percent by 2020 under federal law.
Perry said he supports the Medicaid expansion, which is now called Arkansas Works.
Thomas said he opposes abortion except in cases of rape or incest or to save the life of the mother. Perry said he would probably agree with Thomas about that.
Thomas said he would like to see lawmakers limited to serving six years in the House and eight to 10 years in the Senate. "I just don't want 16 years in any one house," he said.
In 2014, voters approved Amendment 94 to the Arkansas Constitution to adjust existing term limits. State lawmakers can serve up to 16 years in the House and/or Senate. The amendment also bars lobbyists from giving certain gifts; addresses salary changes for state elected officials; and bars corporations and unions from making campaign contributions to state elected officials.
Perry said he believes that he voted for Amendment 94. Thomas said he doesn't recall how he voted on Amendment 94.
The House now has 75 Republicans and 24 Democrats and one vacant seat. Terms are two years.
State lawmakers are paid a salary of $40,188 a year, except for the House speaker and Senate president pro tempore, who are paid $45,900. Lawmakers also are paid per diem and mileage for their expenses.
Metro on 12/15/2017